Abstract: A flume system for use with a floor mounted filtration apparatus and a floor mounted in-line machine section is provided. The machine section receives a flow of clean coolant from the filtration apparatus and has a series of machine outlets for outputting dirty coolant carrying particulate generated by the machine section. The system includes an elongated floor mounted flume disposed adjacent the series of machine outlets to receive the machine outputted dirty coolant. The flume has a slope of less than 2% and is coupled at an outlet end to the filtration apparatus. A discharge pipe is mounted adjacent a distal end of the flume for introducing a stream of coolant into the flume in a direction generally toward the outlet end. The stream of coolant introduced into the flume causes the flume to have an efficient hydraulic radius such that a minimal amount of coolant flows within the flume at a sufficient velocity to wash away the particulate from the flume into the filtration apparatus.

Abstract: A flushing system 10 for a machine tool coolant return system is disclosed which is readily removable for servicing or replacement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a flush nozzle assembly 34 is submerged beneath a normal coolant level 14 in flumes 16 and 18 to provide coolant for flushing machine waste and maintaining the flow of coolant and machine waste toward the filter. A lower member 20 is provided between flume sections 16 and 18 which is adapted to receive the flush nozzle assembly 34. A hollow elongated guide 28 is secured to the lower member 20 and has an open end 29 located for easy access. A flexible hose 32 has the flush nozzle assembly 34 attached to end 33 and is inserted into guide 28 where it is securely received in the lower member 20. The other end 35 of the flexible hose is connected to a source of coolant 46 to provide coolant to the nozzle assembly 34 and into the flumes 16 and 18.

Abstract: A method of filtering coolant for a central coolant system supplying clean coolant to a plurality of machining stations. The method simultaneously filters the coolant in a single tank through both a perforate drum filter and a paper filter to obtain clean coolant of two distinct clarity levels. The coolant of enhanced clarity resulting from the operation of the paper filter either can be supplied to a machine requiring such coolant clarity (e.g., a gun drill) or can be used as a "polishing filter" to remove fines from the coolant in the central system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a central coolant system utilized to circulate filtered soluble oil coolant to a plurality of machining stations to flush machining waste from the stations. According to the invention, only the coolant required at the stations is continuously circulated in the system, and the machining waste is allowed to accumulate in the return flumes. This waste is periodically flushed, e.g., for 2-10 minutes every 2 hours or so, by additional coolant injected into the flumes. The flumes can be intermittently flushed by injecting a relatively small additional volume of additional coolant into individual collection flumes in series or by injecting a larger volume of coolant into all of the flumes simultaneously, both for a limited period of time. Substantial savings in pumping energy and overall coolant system size can be obtained.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an apparatus for separating various sizes, shapes, and textures of solid particles from a liquid, comprising: a settling tank having an elongated ramp at one end with a scraper flight conveyor, driven at the upper end of the ramp, to scrape settlings from the bottom of the tank up the ramp out of the tank; and at least one cylindrical rotatable filter drum assembly snapped between spaced rigid guide and supporting brackets in the tank. An axial end of the filter drum has a ball duct seating in a socket duct connected to the intake of a continuously-operating pump for circulating filtered liquid to the machine tools with a bypass into a clean tank that overflows into the settling tank. The other end of the filter drum assembly is axially outwardly resiliently pressed, such as by a spring against an opposite wall of the tank, to urge the ball and socket joint together.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an apparatus for separating various sizes, shapes, and textures of solid particles from a liquid, comprising: a settling tank having an elongated ramp at one end with a scraper flight conveyor, driven at the upper end of the ramp, to scrape settlings from the bottom of the tank up the ramp out of the tank; and at least one cylindrical rotatable filter drum assembly snapped between spaced rigid guide and supporting brackets in the tank. An axial end of the filter drum has a ball duct seating in a socket duct connected to the intake of a continuously-operating pump for circulating filtered liquid to the machine tools with a bypass into a clean tank that overflows into the settling tank. The other end of the filter drum assembly is axially outwardly resiliently pressed, such as by a spring against an opposite wall of the tank, to urge the ball and socket joint together.